Guy Austin's lucid and engaging account charts the making (and in some cases breaking) of the icons of French cinema, including such famous names as Catherine Deneuve, Gerard Depardieu and Brigitte Bardot. More recent stars like Beatrice Dalle, Emmanuelle Beart and Samy Naceri, as well as neglected or controversial figures such as Patrick Dewaere and Sylvia Kristel, are also given considerable attention.